Number
1028 - 7th March 2020
Disguised
Flesh: The Marvellously Mysterious Magician Chung Ling Soo, A Case Study.
A talk exploring the life of one of the greatest Victorian magicians of
all time who was able to disguise his own flesh.
On the 23rd of March 1918, the most famous magician of the era, Chung
Ling Soo, was performing to a sold-out audience at the Wood Green
Empire. Little did the crowd know that this would be his last
performance. Soo’s notoriously dangerous bullet trick failed and
resulted in his dramatic death on stage. This shocking end revealed
Soo’s greatest trick: that he was not Chinese at all. Chung Ling Soo was
an American named William Ellsworth Robinson who, upon his arrival in
Britain, reinvented himself as a Chinese conjurer. This talk will take a
closer look at Robinson and how he changed his flesh – his race, in
order to put on a performance that extended beyond the stage and into
his personal life. By focusing on Robinson as a case study, the talk
will explore the broader rules of representation and what constitutes
truth as well as the strength of cultural and ideological
presuppositions that shape our understandings.
Amy Matthewson is Research Associate at the School of Oriental and
African Studies, University of London. Thursday
12th March. Doors will open at 6:15pm for a 7pm start. Our
licensed Apothecary Wine Bar will be open to guests until 6:50pm for
pre-talk drinks. Tickets: £12.00. See
www.oldoperatingtheatre.com. 7.3.20
The
Bristol Magic Round Table.
Smoke & Mirrors is the home of a new community for magicians, The
Bristol Magic Round Table. Not a club, just a community of magicians who
want to learn, progress and talk with like-minded magicians.
In 2007 Illusions Magic Bar was established, and in 2012 Smoke & Mirrors
was established. They
gave many practicing,
amateur and hobbyist magicians a stage and platform to perform on. Our
goal is to create a community for practitioners and lovers of magic.
Mark Bennett, founder of the UK's 1st Magic Bars has made it his journey
and passion to give magicians the chance to perform and give them the
guidance no other club or society could give them; a chance to perform
in front of the public and learn. Mark's
golden rule is "Get out there and do it!". He of course doesn't want you to
fail, but failure can be the best lesson in life.
So he has created The Bristol Magic Round Table so he can continue to
help magicians go from practice to performance.
By joining this community you will meet like-minded magicians who love
the art of performing magic.
We have already secured 7 lectures and talks for 2020. To find out more
about The Bristol Magic Round Table please visit
www.smokeandmirrorsbar.com/the-bristol-magic-round-table and
fill in the application form. You don’t need to be a member to come to
our meetings, just sign-up and we will send you regular updates for each
lecture and meeting. If you are visiting Bristol you are welcome to
join our talks or lectures.
PS - We have a free lecture and meetup on 22nd March 2020 with Elliot
Bibby from 11am - 2pm. 7.3.20
The
brilliant Andy Nyman has been nominated for an Olivier Award
in the 'Best Actor in a Musical' category for his
performance in Fiddler on the Roof at Playhouse Theatre, London. The
awards take place at the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 5th April 2020. DT. "&
Juliet, Dear Evan Hansen and Fiddler on the Roof dominate 2020 Olivier
Award nominations"
www.londontheatre.co.uk. 7.3.20
Conjuring
at the Court, London. From the organisers: On Thursday 26th March
the show features the insanely funny Steve Rawlings, the charming magic
of David Weeks, sleight of hand mastery by Will Houstoun, and
multi-award winning Alfonso Rios. The show starts at 8pm and runs to
10pm with an interval. It’s in the lovely function room of the Drayton
Court, 2 The Avenue, West Ealing, London W13 8PH (Map).
Come early to enjoy a meal before the show!
Parking is free from 6.30pm. Tickets still just £11 in advance from
www.conjuringatthecourt.com. Conjuring at the Court is London’s
longest-running monthly magic show – come and see why it’s so much fun! 7.3.20
John Archer
lectures at Blackpool Magicians' Club this Tuesday, 10th March. From
the organisers: John Archer was the first Magician to fool Penn and Teller on ITV's "Fool Us"
and is a
past winner of 'The Magic Circle Stage Magician of the Year'
competition. "You could put John Archer anywhere and he would Kill any audience"
Penn Jillette. "Booking an act for my Dad's 70th birthday, I wanted a great act and
went straight to John Archer - his reputation in the magic world is
among the very best. Hysterically funny, and perfectly pitched for the
occasion." Derren Brown. Visiting Magicians welcome, £10 on the
door, or in advance through
www.eventbrite.co.uk .Tuesday, 10th March 7pm - 10pm at Blackpool
Magicians' Club, 56-60 Caunce Street, Blackpool FY1 3NE (Map).
www.blackpoolmagic.com. 7.3.20
Calling
all Kent based Magicians for Blackpool 2021. Loki is independently
organising a coach trip / accommodation package for Blackpool 2021, and
writes: I have chartered a coach in partnership with Kent tour company
Jewels Tours, to offer conventioneers a great deal for Blackpool next
year. Three pickups (Ashford, Maidstone & Gravesend) Return travel to
the Blackpool Magic Convention, 3 nights stay B&B (Friday 19th - Monday
22nd) at the Park House Hotel and shuttle service from hotel to Winter
Gardens every morning after breakfast and in the evening after the main
gala show. The hotel itself is only a 15 minute walk to the convention
centre for those wishing to come and go. All this for an incredible
price: Luxury coach, local pickup, return drop off,
shuttle service, B&B hotel.
£229 double room (based on 2 people sharing)
£274 single room.
Low deposit of just £50 per person secures your seat on the coach and
your room. Balance will be payable in December. All major debit cards
accepted. Fully bonded and insured company. Spaces are limited, so book
now. The journey will be hosted by Loki and there will be some magic
surprises along the way. Travel in style with your fellow magicians and
make the most of Blackpool 2021! Booking line open now 01474 334434
www.jewelstours.co.uk. For further information email
loki@playingtricks.co.uk. 7.3.20
Merlins
Magic Festival Sunday 17th May 2020. Merlins of Wakefield are
hosting another fantastic Magic Festival. The day will consist of
lectures, workshops, surprises and a Gala Magic Show in the evening.
Artists already booked include Thomas Anthony, Michel Jordan, Magic Daz,
Vinny Sagoo, Darren Mac (photo) and Martyn James. Plus a great selection
of Dealers and a special presentation of a unique magical illusion used
on the Paul Daniels show, that's not been seen in public for over 30
years! If you would just prefer to come along and see some of the best
professional magic, comedy and variety acts, then the evening show is
for you, and is ideal for the whole family. If you would like to see
everything, then get the special discounted ticket for the whole event.
Minimum age limit 10 years old, concessions for under 16 year olds.
There is plenty of free parking, a cafe/bar and is easy access from the
M1 (junction 36). Everyone who books for the full event will receive a
free ‘Merlins Goody Bag’ containing more magic than the price of the
ticket, which is just £30 (full day and Gala Show). Day event 9.30am -
5.30pm. Evening show 7.00pm - 9.30pm. To book your ticket
Click Here.
www.merlinswakefield.com.
Due to last year's successful event there has been a lot of interest, so
please book early. Entry is by ticket only. We will email you a ticket
to print off and bring on the day, along with timings and directions to
the venue. The evening show seats are now numbered and will be allocated
on a first come basis - so book early to get the best seats! Venue: The
Academy Theatre, Birdwell, Barnsley S70 5TU (Map)
www.theacademytheatre.co.uk. 7.3.20
Danny
Lee Grew: Miraculous
Magic, Saturday 4th April Forest Arts Centre, Hampshire. If you mix baffling magic, incredible illusion, cheeky
comedy with a young, energetic, enthusiastic magician and what do you
get?
Miraculous Magic - a brand new magical experience for the whole
family that is guaranteed to create laughs and gasps.
Top magician Danny Lee Grew will make a beautiful vase of flowers
completely disappear, without a trace, coat hangers mysteriously link
and unlink, and Danny will impale a chosen card with an umbrella, whilst
riding a Segway! Saturday 4th April at 11am and 1.30pm.
Prices are £10.00, Family Ticket (4) £33.50. Venue: Forest Arts Centre,
Old Milton Road,
New Milton
BH25 6DS (Map)
Book here:
www.forest-arts.co.uk also see
www.dannyleegrew.com. 7.3.20
The
MagicWeek Video Archive. A new magic clip or show every week! This week
Gaëtan Bloom on BBC1's 'The Good Old Days' from Christmas Eve 1983. See
The MagicWeek Video Archive. To catch up with more from The MagicWeek Video
Archive
Click Here.
7.3.20
Merlins
of Wakefield. Merlins of Wakefield write: Several items are now back
in stock following the Blackpool Convention.
Jackpot Cards,
Rubik Rhumba,
Red Lorry Yellow Lolly,
Astro-Scope and
Elementary will all be sent out next week to those who ordered them.
Colour Match Chips sold out for the second Blackpool running, we
need to take more next year! "That’s great, I’ll take one" Andy
Nyman. If you didn’t get to Blackpool you can order any two of the above
online and receive a free DVD! A DVD of our choice will be sent for any
orders placed before 31st March 2020. 7.3.20
Balloon
Days, 1st & 2nd April, Birmingham. Graham Lee writes:
We have another two day Balloon Events taking place in Birmingham on the
1st and 2nd April. Both days run from 10am till 5pm. 1st April: 'Rob
Driscoll - Star Lecture Balloon Twisting Day'. 2nd April: 'Tope - Star
Lecture Balloon Deco Twisting Day'.
There will be four workshops throughout the day, plus a couple of fun
competitions with a few prizes to win. For more details please contact
Graham Lee: graham@balloonartwholesale.co.uk
or to book:
www.balloonartwholesale.co.uk. 7.3.20
Mel
Mellers' Magical Mentalism Tour. Magicseen Publications is delighted to
be the publishers of the latest Mel Mellers' book, and fans of Mel
himself have been keen to get hold of his latest collection of easy to
do magical mentalism since its release last month. A5 in size and with
soft covers, this 92 page book will provide readers with a wonderful
collection of routines that have been 'Mellorised'! Direct plots and
methods abound, and the presentations are designed to amuse and amaze in
equal measure. The book also includes four pages of great one-liners
which you can immediately swipe and deploy in your act, no matter what
type of adult magic you do. If you enjoyed Mel's previous book (The
Travelling Trickster, available still in PDF format from Magicseen) you
are bound to be interested in this latest tome as it provides plenty
more material that you will use. For further information and to order go
to www.magicseen.com. 7.3.20
A Lifetime In Magic
Volume 2 by Devin Knight is reviewed by Jay Fortune this week,
Click Here. 7.3.20
The
Hypnotised Coin, a new E-Routine from Mark Leveridge. Originally
published in Mark's popular e-book The Strolling Magician, this
downloadable illustrated text file describes a commercial four stage
effect using just a single coin and an unprepared handkerchief. In quick
succession the coin penetrates the handkerchief in two convincing ways,
then jumps from the pocket back into the cloth, before vanishing
completely leaving both of the performer's hands genuinely empty! The
coin can be marked if required as there is only one regular coin used.
This is direct, visual magic that flows in a quick and surprising
sequence, and it is a routine that Mark still has in his current
walkabout repertoire. For more information and to watch a video dem, go
to
www.markleveridge.co.uk. 7.3.20
Tommy Cooper Remembered, Museum of Comedy,
London. From the promoters: Clive St.James is the UK's No.1 tribute to the late great
Tommy Cooper and this warm, affectionate look back at Tom's life is
brimming with anecdotes about the great man. Then it's cabaret time with
all the best jokes and tricks. As Clive is a member of the world famous
Magic Circle he will give you a peek of what Tom could do behind the
scenes! "Clive is a very funny man" Chris Evans, The One Show.
Thursday 19th March at 8pm at Museum of Comedy, The Undercroft, St
Georges Church, Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2SR (Map).
To book
Click Here. Also see
www.clivestjames.co.uk. 7.3.20
Leamington
& Warwick Magic Society Day
of Magic. John Needham writes:
The Leamington Day of Magic this year is on Wednesday 24th June 2020 at
Bedworth Ex Servicemen's Social Club, Rye Piece Ringway, Bedworth CV12
8JH (Map).
Please note the change of venue from last year.
The lectures will include Harry Robson. Details of others will follow.
Tickets are priced at £25 pre-paid or £30 on the door.
In the evening we have the Midlands Champion of Champions Close-up
Competition.
Full details and up to date information can be found on the club
website:
Click Here.
Please also note that the venue for our usual club meetings has also
changed to Leamington Rugby Football Club, Kenilworth Road, Blackdown,
Leamington Spa CV32 6RG. Again please check our website for meeting
details:
www.magicsociety.co.uk. 7.3.20
Mago
Larry Lecture – The Zodiac Magical Society, Ealing, West London.
Simon Rudd writes: All
the way from Argentina and fresh from the dealers hall at Blackpool the
Zodiac Magical Society will be hosting 'Mago Larry' at 8pm on
Wednesday 11th March; there are 9 places remaining for visitors. If you
would like to book a place, or would like further information then
please email membership@zodiacmagicalsociety.co.uk, the cost to attend
is £10. If you wish to join us please ensure you book in advance, as
anyone turning up on the night without booking will be politely turned
away. 7.3.20
News
Deadline reminder. MagicWeek welcomes your UK magic news, but please
remember the news deadline: Thursday if possible, final
deadline 12 noon Friday. DT. 7.3.20
"The
amazing poster art from the 'golden age' of magic"
Click Here • "Watch as Northampton magician pulls off card trick with prank
call live on stage"
Click Here • "Linslade and Soulbury magicians on CBBC’s Crackerjack
tonight!"
Click Here • "This magician won't pull a rabbit out of a hat. Instead, his
glasses hold his secrets"
Click Here • "Ben Hart review: an exceptional magician performing some
remarkable, unfathomable and dazzling tricks"
Click Here • Thanks as always for your news - see you next week, Duncan. 7.3.20